of the Smithsonian Institution. 311 
results obtained were highly important, and are to be found fay- 
orably mentioned. in every system: work on the subject of 
steam which has a appeared, in any language, within the last few 
years. New and important facts were established ; and, what 
was almost of as much consequence, errors which had usu rped. 
the place of truth were dethroned. 
In the programme, examples were given of a few su spbieits of # 
original research to which the attention of the Sige eee 
turned. I will mention one in this place, ich in connexic 
with the contents of our first memotr, may deserve imr 
attention. I allude toa small appropriation ‘ade ann ally for 
researches with reference to the remains of 1e anc ent palin 
itants of our country. This is a highly inteteanine field, “and 
the progress of civilization is obliterating, the ancient mounds, 
cities and villages are rising on the spots,they have so long occu- _ 
pied undisturbed, and the distinctive — of these remains are 
eae men in general se operations of the institutic Dn, os 
evident that the principal means of diffusing knowledge must 
the press. Though lectures should be given in the city in which | 
Smithson has seen fit to direct the establishment of his in 
tion, yet, asa_.plan of general diffusion of knowledge, beak 
tem of lectures would be “cali inate every village pen 
extended country w would have a right to demand a share x 
benefit, and the income of the antic would be insufficient to. 
supply a thousandth part of the demand. _ It is also evident that 
_ the knowledge diffused should, if possible, not only embrace all 
branches of general interest, so that each reader might find a sub- 
ject suited to his taste, but. also that it should differ in kind and 
quality from that which can be readily obtained through the 
cheap eS eeesion: of the mA These requisites will be fully 
, : r an : le : 
what the work should be, T would refer to the annual report >, 
the Swedish Academy of its perpetual Secretary, Berzelius, 
physical science. The re eports can be so prepared as to be highly 
interesting to the general reader, and at the same time of great 
importance to the _ exclusive _c es of a. particular ular branch of 
knowledge. Full references should be given, in foot-notes, to 
the page, number, or volume of the work from which the infor- 
